Regional

2:44 pm

Wed March 13, 2013

NMSU To Offer Energy Saving Workshop For Businesses

Businesses interested in reducing their energy bills by incorporating energy efficiencies in their buildings may have an opportunity to have El Paso Electric cover part of the bill.

Owners of commercial and industrial properties can learn about rebates available for such projects at a seminar to be offered by the New Mexico State University Engineering New Mexico Resource Network in cooperation with El Paso Electric and Energy Control, Inc. The Partners in Energy Incentives Program Workshop will be held from 8 a.m. to noon Tuesday, April 2, in Shaw Conference Room, located on the first floor of Goddard Hall on the NMSU Las Cruces campus. There is no charge for the seminar, but registration is required at nmsuenergy.eventbrite.com.

The workshop details how owners of commercial and industrial properties located throughout the El Paso Electric service territory can receive incentive funds to help pay for energy efficient improvements or renovations of existing buildings or new construction projects. Some may qualify for instant rebate grants at project onset that can help fund the projects.

"Making the process of saving money and energy easier for small businesses is something we take great pride in," said Paul Royalty, manager of energy efficiency and utilization at El Paso Electric. "We are mindful of the challenges small businesses encounter and we're pleased to offer these programs that not only conserve energy, but also help trim the costs of doing business."

"One of the roles of the Engineering New Mexico Resource Network at NMSU to is assist businesses by improving their competitiveness through informational seminars, technology assistance and workforce development," said Patricia A. Sullivan, assistant dean of the College of Engineering. "We are pleased to partner with El Paso Electric and Energy Control to share energy efficient strategies for businesses in the region."

Anna Emerick-Biad, owner of an office building in Mesilla, took advantage of the opportunity to save on the lighting cost for her building.

Emerick-Biad signed up with El Paso Electric's Energy Saver Program for commercial customers. By replacing the existing lighting with energy efficient LED lights that last longer, use less energy and emit less heat than traditional light bulbs, the energy consumption used in her building for lighting could be reduced by as much as 40 to 60 percent.

Likewise, Regina Wheeler, CEO at Positive Energy Solar, used the program for their building in Las Cruces to complete an efficiency retrofit and add solar panels. This project qualified for a rebate from El Paso Electric by improving energy efficiency through building improvements.